• Nigeria signs cybercrime cooperation deal with UK, aiming to boost judicial efficiency and tackle cross-border digital threats.
• Joint teams and early collaboration between investigators and prosecutors are key to the new approach, alongside capacity building.
• Cybercrime causes Nigeria $500 million in annual losses; 751 suspects were arrested in 2024, including 130 in a major Interpol-led operation.

Nigeria is looking to deepen its collaboration with the United Kingdom in the battle against cybercrime. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi signed a memorandum of understanding with a British delegation on Tuesday, April 29th, to formalize this intent.

Both nations have pledged to streamline Nigeria's judicial system by cutting through bureaucratic red tape. This will involve closer collaboration among key players: investigators and prosecutors will now work in tandem from the initial stages of a case, aligning their strategies, pooling resources, and enhancing their skills to jointly achieve desired outcomes. The partnership also extends to transnational crimes, with a joint team established to tackle these issues.

"Cybercrime is complex and constantly evolving, while we have a national legal framework for combating it, it is important to note that laws alone cannot win battles. It is the people who interpret, enforce, and apply these laws that must be equipped, united, and empowered to act—swiftly, cohesively, and effectively," Fagbemi stated.

This partnership is part of the Nigerian government's broader efforts to control the increasing rate of cybercrime, which is accelerating alongside digital transformation. In November 2024, an Interpol-coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of 306 cybercriminals across several African nations, including 130 in Nigeria. Over the course of the year, Nigerian police reported the apprehension of 751 individuals involved in cybercriminal activities. This problem inflicts significant economic damage. According to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2022, cybercrime costs Nigeria $500 million annually.

If this cooperative effort proves successful, the Nigerian government aims to establish a strong system to safeguard its citizens, uphold their rights, and bring cybercriminals to justice. However, it is important to note that the two parties have, to date, only signed a memorandum of understanding. No specific timeline has been announced for the finalization of a definitive agreement or its implementation. Tangible progress will be necessary before any conclusions can be drawn about its potential and actual impact.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji